Malcolm Magee-Brown

I’m privileged to teach young adult students who are mainly autistic but can also have other differences like ADHD or dyslexia. My autistic students may be a bit socially awkward, short on small talk and have a different perspective on things but they are also intelligent, talented, interesting individuals with a variety of skills, abilities and interests. They have a lot to offer and deserve to get into jobs but I know the appalling truth is that currently only a small minority will and many could be destined for a life on benefits. I want to change that, which is why I'm involved in running Supported Internships that have a great track record of getting neurodiverse interns into work.

But there aren't enough of them. I want to help develop new ones and spread them as widely as possible, particularly in the private sector and creative industries. It's not easy, particularly in winning over employers and persuading them that they're not taking a big risk but opening their organisation to a new source of capable, dependable and loyal employees, who turn up on time, give their all and don't throw sickies unless they have to.

It's a challenge I relish and bring to it a lot of business skills in marketing, selling, start ups and project management from my previous career in investment banking. Moreover, to every job I’ve ever had, I’ve brought hard work, commitment, enthusiasm, energy and high motivation. I can be a leader or a team member as required and I’m very good with people, able to get on with all levels and roles within an organisation. To my aim of making a difference for my students, I will bring determination, optimism, persistence and resilience, as well as a good sense of humour – personality traits also essential in a supporter of Carlisle United FC since the age of five!

My career in business started in contract negotiation and commercial management in the international, engineering, contracting industries. A specialism in organising and raising finance for buyers lead to my moving into investment banking, with increasingly senior roles first in project finance and latterly the privatisation of state companies in emerging markets, particularly Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. Retired, but didn't like it and a temporary Christmas job lead to a time in retail before I decided that I wanted to make a contribution and difference in teaching. I have specialised in Further Education and young adults with special educational needs.

University of Salford, BSc First Class Honours in Economics, Politics and a minor in Maths and Statistics.

University of Greenwich, Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Distinction.